My Focus Needs More Focus

I had a 2.5 hour ride on the schedule today. When I talked with Coach Allen I had planned on parking in downtown Ellicott City then driving to Patapsco and riding on the trails. Then I got this bright idea about riding up in Frederick County.

Bad idea. I realized as I was about to head out the door that if I was going to watch my friend Dre in her first Cross race, I needed to already be in Fred-neck and on the road - and I wasn't even in my hot little cycling shorts yet. So, I went with Plan A - parked downtown and headed out. I had *just* enough time.

I did the steady state rides up College and Bonnie Branch. Coach Allen mentioned I didn't need so much to watch cadence or speed as heart rate - which I keep forgetting... So I changed the data settings on my HRM so I could keep an eye on it. Wow. Interesting. I couldn't keep my HR in that zone - I was about 6 beats high - so I just let that part be. Whenever I tried to keep it in the lower range I would space off and be in the 130's.

So, I get to where I need to head to the trail head... and... oh yes I did. I got lost. It baffles me how I can do this after the many, many years I have lived in this area and driven and ridden these roads. I claim oxygen debt. After - literally - an hour - I hit the trails. And about 15 minutes later I got nothin. And I mean it. I just wanted to pull over and have a picnic and take a nap. I got some nutrition and water - and no one joined the party. I figured it would just be what it would be...

At an hour and 45 in I fed again and my legs came to life. That was refreshing. Literally. I did another 15 min on the trail and headed back to the car.

All in all it wasn't a challenging ride, but it was just clear that I was completely focused on the intervals then I was thinking about getting on to the next event of the day - Dre's Cross race. I was concerned I was going to be late - which I was (I missed the start and the first lap).

The part that was totally fun was seeing how my skill is improving - going over roots, climbing - I'm on the bike way more and going faster (I think - I haven't really looked).

After hanging out at the Cross race for a bit I headed to HT and got some food for tonight's dinner. I haven't eaten a thing, mind you, since breakfast (aside from GU). When I got home, the first thing I did was threw down a piece of pumpkin pie. My hands were shaking I was so hungry and depleted (it was 4:30 - I shoulda been!!!). Not exactly the best recovery food - but man was it good!!!!